Belthangady: Illegal cattle trafficking busted, five cows rescued

Belthangady: Belthangady police have busted an illegal cow trafficking ring in Malavantige. The police seized two pickup vehicles and five cows. Four individuals involved in the operation have been arrested.

The arrested accused have been identified as Yathindra (24), a resident of Periyadka in Chibidre village; Aravind (30), a resident of Bendrala in Totattadi village; Usman (36), a resident of Charmadi village; and Arif (27), a resident of Chibidre village.

The police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the two pickup vehicles late Thursday night at Kajake in Malavantige village on the Elaneeru-Didupe Road. Upon inspection, they found five cows being transported in the vehicles. The individuals could not produce valid permits for the transport of the cattle.

Suspecting that the cows were being trafficked for slaughter, the police registered a case and took action. The cows, along with the vehicles, were seized, and the accused were taken into custody. A formal investigation is currently underway at the Belthangady police station.